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The time has finally come! E-filing is available at the DRE. All it requires is a quick registration with the Subdivision Online Public Reporting System, or SOPRAS. Each SRP (Single Responsible Party) and each Subdivider must register to submit electronic files.
Initially, Preliminary (Pink) Public Reports will be the only electronic filing application available, with the others to be coded ...

Selling homes in phases? Consider structuring your next subdivision map to include multiple road lots. Asphalt streets are definitely one of the most expensive items that HOA's maintain. Breaking the road lot into multiple lots to match your sales plan can save thousands.
Think of it this way; if you have all of the streets in one lot, it can "front load" the HOA dues program, causing assessm...

When an HOA is created, the dues start in any phase when the first lot or unit is sold. For planning purposes, it’s important to note that the DRE Regulations allow for HOA assessments to be waived for HOA-maintained improvements that are not complete. Regulation 2792.16c, in a nutshell, stipulates that any assessments for common area which has not been completed can be deferred - in other words, ...

Does your HOA common area need to be rejuvenated, but your bank account doesn't allow for much more than a new paint job? Well, the good news is that most banks consider HOAs good investments. Obtaining credit from a reputable agency is often much more palatable than special assessments and may be easy to obtain! We have worked with several HOAs who have used lending to cover their financial ne...

We often get calls from clients considering a purchase of a "broken" project, who are in the due diligence period on a project. In this situation, it is worth the effort to investigate the project from the Department of Real Estate (DRE) perspective. Was it filed with DRE previously? Are there any red flags in the public report? What would an amendment filing at DRE look like for this project...

E-FILING becomes a reality in 2018
Electronic filings have been discussed for the past five years, and some thought it might never happen. Alas, it is happening, in 2018. Our firm will be participating in beta testing of pink report application filings in July of 2018. Based on the success rate of the beta filings, it is possible that full electronic filings will be available as early as the...

It's official – the Department of Real Estate is back! The former Bureau of Real Estate has regained independence and is back to operating as an independent Department within California's government structure. Since this announcement, management has scrambled to hire administrative staff to support the Department, filling 18 new positions in July; but those are not the only positions needing to...

A well-run Homeowners Association (HOA) can lead to an increase in property value and heightened satisfaction from owners and can considerably enhance your home ownership experience. A recent survey from The Community Associations Institute reported 84% of HOA members stated their governing board continually acted in the best interest of their community, and that 85% of HOA residents shared the sa...

It’s a great time to be a homebuilder in California. Not only is our state a gorgeous place to live, but it’s a state very much in need of more homes. Below are a few reasons it’s a fantastic time to be a homebuilder in California:
Building Adds Jobs To The State
According to a recent study by the California Homebuilding Foundation, building new homes creates more than 200,000 jobs per yea...

One of the first questions we get asked when meeting someone is, “Which Projects have you worked on?” Most recently, the second question is almost always, “Where are they getting the water for that?”
It would appear the California drought is still alive and well and, as the hot summer days are approaching, the question is becoming more relevant as a concern for home builders.
During the hei...

Newsletter

Morgan Myers

Morgan joins our team with over 5 years experience in real estate coordination and exterior home remodeling, bringing a keen eye for accuracy to her new role as Budget Assistant. Morgan is currently obtaining her bachelor’s degree in data analytics and describes herself as highly logical, making her the perfect addition to the team.

Victoria Walter

Victoria joined our Team in April, 2018 as Administrative Assistant. She brings over 5 years of administrative experience to the table with expertise in correspondence, data management systems, and executive support. Victoria directly handles financial matters such as client billing and the reception duties in the office. She is the friendly voice that will most likely greet you when you call the CBS office.

Angel Brune

Angel brings several years of Retail and Hospitality Management and a focus on service. He is graduating from Fresno State with a major in Business Administration with an emphasis in Real Estate. He brings a positive attitude, energy and an eye for detail to the CBS team. Angel works closely with our Subdivision Consultants to ensure our projects are on track.

Fun Facts

I love baseball, especially Dodger baseball! My wife and I try to go to at least 4 or 5 games a year.

Cooking at home and trying new recipe is a great hidden aspect about me. I’m always watching the Food Network and trying to get new ideas.

I’m a technology enthusiast. In my free time I listen to podcasts about the newest technology and gadgets of the day. It amazes me all of the innovations that are made on a daily basis! What will they think of next?

Recently obtained my Bachelors in Business Administration from CSU Fresno. I am proud that I was the first person in my family to graduate from college.

Lisa Chang

Subdivision Consultant

Lisa joined the CBS team in 2016. She has eight years of experience in construction project management and administration. She is a proven task master in performing project data research quickly and her filing packages are always complete. Lisa’s diligence contributes to overall success of the Bureau of Real Estate process, making it easier and more efficient for our clients.

Fun Facts

I’m a scaredy cat when it comes to amusement parks and roller coasters because of heights and the speed, but I am open to adventure activities such as parasailing, zip lining, etc. I was able to scratch off parasailing and snorkeling on my bucket list during my Hawaii trip this year and excited to cross off zip lining this year.

Valerie Hinkle

Budget Preparation

Valerie brings over 10 years of construction administration to the CBS team. She is very familiar with construction detailing and costing and is a perfect fit for our Budget preparation department. Her understanding of construction processes and cost requirements lends the ability to review project take-offs and relate them to start up budgeting with the knowledge of a senior budget preparer.

John Ford

With a career in home design, development and construction, John is more than qualified to interpret the plans and specifications for subdivision budgeting and reserve studies. John is a trained professional, who is capable of creating estimates for construction costs, as well as estimating component and materials lifetime.

Elvira Cruz

Elvira brings valuable experience and knowledge after a career in the Escrow and Title Industry. With 15 years in Escrow, she understands the sales process and is more than familiar with the documents involved in transactions. Elvira works well under pressure and in is detail oriented while understanding that timing is essential to our clients. She utilizes these skills and qualities into every project.

Fun Facts

Guilty Pleasure – Gummies…anything gummy. I buy box of fruit snacks and I don’t share with my kids. I know so bad, but they are so good.

Annual tradition – We host Easter at our home every year, it’s a lot of work, but I love. This past year I created a life size board game in my yard, with questions and dice… we had fun. Next year, I’m thinking of maybe putting together a Family Feud game… wish me luck!!

Vice President

BRE Processing / Customer Service

With a military background and experience in law enforcement, Scott is keenly sensitive to compliance with legal requirements. Specializing in the BRE Process and Reserve Studies, Scott has handled full caseloads of projects that range from small parcel maps to large multi-phase condominiums. Scott has completed his MBA, and has been instrumental in moving our services into a new era of service through technology.

Fun Facts

President

Alice has over 35 years of experience in working with subdivisions. Her background includes title, escrow, marketing, Budgets and DRE processing. Alice also provides whatever assistance or training is necessary to insure that all of our clients understand the process and requirements for new home sales and HOA start ups. With her years of experience, she is also capable of providing our clients with feedback on the structure of their development.